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Social Purpose Spotlight – Ice-O-Matic, a Welbilt Company
In NAFEM’s monthly Social Purpose Spotlight, a different member company’s individual social purpose story is featured. Perhaps reading about the creativity and dedication of these NAFEM members will inspire you to start a program at your organization or provide some new ideas to enhance what you’re already doing.
This month, we talked to Erica Motes, CFSP, president, Ice-O-Matic, a Welbilt Company, Denver, Colo. Ice-O-Matic has participated in social purpose activities for 25+ years and currently tries to schedule regular and consistent volunteer opportunities for their associates. According to Motes, “NAFEM’s Social Purpose initiative has given us a renewed sense of enthusiasm to increase employee volunteer involvement with the Food Bank of the Rockies, which is the largest hunger relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region.”
Along with supporting the Food Bank of the Rockies, Ice-O-Matic has participated in the Colorado State Forest Service’s Restoring Colorado’s Forests Fund (RCFF), a donor-funded program established to provide no-cost seedlings to landowners whose properties have been impacted by wildfires and other natural disasters as well as organizing fund raisers for breast cancer organizations. Motes continues, “Everything Ice-O-Matic can do to help the local community is very important to us as this is our home.”
Associates from human resources, sales and marketing departments work together to promote social purpose activities throughout the company. There is also an in-house “fun committee” to promote the company culture with team building events. are involved in planning and promoting volunteer events. Motes added, “We’ve noticed that many of our employees are gravitating toward social responsibility in their own lives, and Ice-o-Matic is cultivating a giving culture.” The leadership is gratified to see the numbers of participants increase along with the impact the company is having the local community. During Ice-O-Matic’s most recent outing to the Food Bank of the Rockies, employees from several departments collaborated to pack 63 pallets of food totaling more than 42,000 pounds.
If your organization is considering a social purpose initiative, Motes says, “Don’t hesitate! Check the food bank’s website to see if they have a sign-up link to volunteer (most of them do). You may think that you don’t have much to give, but the gift of time, your time, is the most precious gift you can give.”
NAFEM’s Social Purpose program, #NAFEMFightingHunger, is back for its fifth year, with a goal of raising funds to support 6.5 million meals for those in need. When members donate funds, food or volunteer time to their local Feeding America member food banks or any local food bank, NAFEM contributes matching funds. This year, NAFEM will match up to $300,000 of member contributions to local food banks.
For ideas to start or enhance your company’s efforts, visit #NAFEMFightingHunger. If you have questions or would like to be featured in a future Social Purpose Spotlight, contact NAFEM Headquarters, +1.312.821.0201.